Women's Basketball | 1/27/2010 8:49:07 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Monarchs built up a 16 point lead late in the second half and held on for the 77-71 win over Meredith College Wednesday night.

Methodist (10-8, 6-5) took an early lead before Meredith went ahead 13-12 with 9:55 to go in the half. The Angels built up a seven point lead before Methodist senior Michaela Myers hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 27. The half ended with Meredith maintaining the 31-29 advantage.

Meredith opened up the second half with a 41-33 lead, but Methodist came back with an 8-0 run to tie the game. The Monarchs started to pull away, taking a 70-54 lead with 5:24 to go in the game capped off by a traditional 3-point play from senior Dezzire Gilliard. Meredith kept battling to cut the lead to four with 18 seconds on the clock before Myers hit two free throws to help the Monarchs to the 77-71 win.

Gilliard led the team with 26 points while Myers added 24 points. Junior Dawn Sanderson added 12 points and junior Adriana Wilson had 10 points and six rebounds.

Brittany Cornelius paced the Angels with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

The Monarchs will host Greensboro on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Box Score